16/04/2006 - EASTER SUNDAY - Year B
First Reading Acts 10:34; 37-43 Psalm 117/118
Second Reading Colossians 3:1-4 Gospel John 20:1-9
"Death and life come face to face in a marvellous dual. The Lord of life
had died; but now, living, He reigns." So sings the first sequence of the
Gospel which, in these few words, summarizes the surprise which we celebrate
today. Today, God truly surprises us with the unexpected. Mary Magdalene tells
it, Saint Peter announces it as the beginning of new life and Saint Paul draws
from it obvious consequences for today.
Mary Magdalene, with fear in her heart, sees the tomb of Jesus overturned. The
only thing she can imagine, as she goes back quickly to tell the Apostles, is
that the body of the Lord had been hidden. The Hebrew elders consider the disciples'
accusations slanderous. The woman's words cause Peter and the other disciple,
"the one which Jesus loved", to come out and go to the sepulchre because
they know that something is strange. Perhaps they remember that Jesus had spoken
of being resurrected from the dead. But, until they understand the Scripture,
even this was not able to create new life. The returned to where they were and
close the door.
Jesus, Himself, comes to confuse them, to help them remember, to remind them
of prophesies, including psalms and, understanding the Scripture, they are overjoyed.
They see the Word of God being fulfilled, and truly believe in what they see
with their own eyes and in the joy they feel in their hearts. This faith is
the beginning of a new life, a new hope, a new fervour which cannot be hidden
and which no one can suppress! Today, too, we hear stories and many reports
that having faith in the Risen Jesus gives strength to those who hear His Word
for the first time, to those who testify to Him in the midst of difficulties
and who are endangered and hated. How many Muslims, by accepting the faith of
the Risen Jesus, joyfully confront the rejection of their families and violent
persecution, even death! Believing that Jesus is risen from the dead is new
life for us, true life, without which we risk falling into darkness and emptiness,
in desperation and in the slavery of men!
Saint Peter announces Jesus' resurrection from the dead to Cornelius, the Centurion.
Nothing else is so important! If Jesus is risen from the dead, He is also the
judge of all; therefore, His resurrection is authority in the eyes of every
man. When someone believes that Jesus has risen, there is no need to say more:
he, himself, will seek out His desires so as to conform to His will; he, himself,
will seek out His teachings so he can learn to walk in a new life, which began
with this announcement!
Saint Paul repeats this to the Colossians Christians. The Christians are those
who seek the things from above because they, too, have risen with Christ! They
are no longer happy with the things of this world; not with the things that
give them comfort, not with what makes them seem great to the world, nor with
what makes them famous. They realize that these things enslave us, they cause
us to sin, they tear us apart from the heart of the Father and from the community
of our brothers. By seeking "the things from above", the Holy Spirit
will relive in us, and we'll enjoy a new communion with other believers!
This is why we sing the alleluia today! And we share our deep joy of the heart
and mind with our brothers who believe and suffer with us. We share it with
the martyred saints and the true followers of Jesus from all time and from everywhere.
Jesus has risen, and having risen will come to us at all times to consoles us,
to strengthen us and to support us. Fear no longer has a place in our heart
and in our sight, because death no longer has the last word! Let us continue
our walk in this world with a serene and hopeful smile. Let us tell everyone
"Do not fear, Jesus has risen!" If Jesus has risen, we too will live
knowing that death will not overcome life.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!